Need advise on a 1989 Freedom 190

[p8nt]

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section, Im sure the mods will move if need be.



Through a strange collection of events (long story) I have an opportunity to purchase the boat from a friend for $450.

I know it needs a carburetor (missing), a battery and a starter. The boat sat at a mechanics for a number of weeks with the plug in while it poured rain. Probably took 20min to drain once the plug was finally pulled. My question is this: What should I be looking for outside of the obvious as far as potential problems.
Im a shadetree mechanic with a full garage, but Im unfamiliar with boats in general.

Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Need advise on a 1989 Freedom 190

Rotted wood. All over - floor, stringers, transom, seats, etc., etc. That's probably the biggest battle right off. If the boat has been well kept over the years, and it's just the last week or two that it's been flooded like that, it may not be a big deal. But more than likely, she's been sittin' the elements for a number of years and has problems structurally.

Depending on the drive (OMC, Volvo or Mercruiser - I don't think FourWinns had a 19ft OB), you have to deal with the engine (a marine variant of the car engines you're familiar with) but also the outdrive. That may be the harder piece to deal with depending on how long this boat has been neglected. Remember the drive on this boat is over 20 years old - mine is 40, and it can be a real booger sometimes.

If you approach this as a project boat, and want the challenge - and you can afford to lose the $450 in the event you can't make it go - then, go for it. But it is definitely a project with some real problems attached to it.